Weekend Best Bets: Find out who the experts are tipping

OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner as they look at the major races around the nation.

4 min read

March 4, 2016 - 3:52PM

News Corp Australia Network

OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner as they look at the major races around the nation.

SATURDAY MEETINGS (AEDT Times)

RANDWICK (9 races, start 12.20pm), FLEMINGTON (9 races, start 12.40pm),

DOOMBEN (8 races, start 1.10pm), MORPHETTVILLE (8 races, start 1.24pm),

ASCOT (8 races, start 3.38pm).

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

RANDWICK

RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 82x25

FURNACES

Race 6, No. 2

Was one of the best juveniles in training last season, winning the Kindergarten Stakes and running a competitive sixth in Vancouver’s Golden Slipper. The Godolphin colt has only had one start this season and that was an excellent third to super sprinter Chautauqua in the McEwen Stakes last spring. Furnaces was struck by a virus after that run and has not raced since but he has looked sharp in two recent barrier trials. Loaded with talent, this colt can make a winning comeback on Saturday.

TAB Fixed Odds: $5

STABLE WATCH: INSIDE MAIL FOR RANDWICK

NIC ASHMAN (Daily Telegraph). Form: x1413

HONESTY PREVAILS

Race 1, No. 3

Returned top figures on debut and looks the best filly heading towards the Slipper.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.10

REDZEL

Race 6, No. 5

Is ready to win after running second at both runs back from a spell. Has a ton of early pace and should lead these from the outset. Peaks now and drops in weight for this assignment.

TAB Fixed Odds: $7

JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 21581

LIBRAN

Race 3, No. 9

Should be at his peak for this assignment, as he gets out to a winning distance range for the first time in this country. Only has to lump the minimum weight and draws ideally with top hoop Brenton Avdulla to pilot him.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.60

Capitalist, ridden by Blake Shinn, wins the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January. Picture: Grant Peters

SHAYNE O’CASS (Sportsman). Form: 43414

CAPITALIST

Race 2, No. 1

In any other year, either Capitalist or Astern would be $2 to win the Slipper right now, that’s how good they are. You could make a case for either colt here but I went with Capitalist in the end, mostly because he has to win to guarantee himself a place in the Golden Slipper.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.80

DARREN PRENDERGAST (Superracing). Form: 47211

LIBRAN

Race 3, No. 9

English import ready to strike after two eye-catching runs this campaign. Had no luck last start when charged home late behind Arab Dawn. Has a good record when stretching out to 2000m.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4.60

NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 15491

PRESS STATEMENT

Race 7, No. 1

Star colt who resumed from a spell with a dominant win in the Hobartville and steps up to 1600 metres where he is unbeaten. Looks perfectly placed to get win number seven at just start nine.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.50

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

FLEMINGTON

MATT STEWART (Herald Sun). Form: 62161

ESTAMINET

Race 3, No. 10

Short but sweet. Far too much class and upside for these.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.90

MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun). Form: x2211

DIVAN

Race 9, No. 8

Tremendous run when first-up second to the in-form Dan Zephyr. Step up to 1800m is ideal and has more ability than his rivals.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.30

DARYL TIMMS (Herald Sun). Tipsters’ form: 12511

SWORD OF LIGHT

Race 2, No. 1

Had not luck in the Blue Diamond Prelude but previous two wins were good.

TAB Fixed Odds: $7

Craig Newitt and Tarzino combine to win the VRC Derby. Picture: Colleen Petch

SIMON MOY (Superracing). Form: 1x21x

TARZINO

Race 7, No. 2

No reason why the Mick Price-Craig Newitt roadshow cannot roll on here. Colt certainly has what is necessary at the business end of equation with his renowned powerful finish. Track suits and if Mahuta pushes them along, he is sure to be a factor.

TAB Fixed Odds: $7

CHRIS VERNUCCIO (Superracing). Form: 3x511

XTRAVAGANT

Race 7, No. 5

The Kiwi visitor is the X-factor in an otherwise even Australian Guineas field. Of the favoured runners he’s drawn the best gate.

TAB fixed odds: $3.50

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

DOOMBEN

NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier-Mail). Form: 1x715

ROYAL TITHE

Race 1, No. 1

Yes, she’s odds-on, but strikes a race of little depth here. Never got a chance to fully wind up last time and she was a month between runs. Should atone.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.85

BEN DORRIES (The Courier-Mail). Form: 12667

KAISER FRANZ

Race 4, No. 5

Crying out for a decent ride. Didn’t get one last time when trapped wide for the trip yet refused to surrender and kept coming in a huge run.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.50

BRAD DAVIDSON (Gold Coast Bulletin). Form: 67767

OAK ‘N’ ARTHUR

Race 7, No. 2

Pretty keen on Oak ‘N’ Arthur and the $8.50 available right now is big overs. The key is the good barrier and he should be able to park midfield in this race and finish over the top of these. His late splits at his past three runs have all been superb and the barrier simply cost him victory last start. Hard to beat.

TAB Fixed Odds: $6.50

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

MORPHETTVILLE

Smart Darren Weir-trained stayer Signoff makes his first Adelaide appearance en route to the cup. Picture: Getty Images

BEN SCADDEN (The Advertiser). Form: 61518

THE NEW BOY

Race 4, No. 4

Victorian galloper who scored sharp win here last time when he raced on the speed and proved too strong in the straight. This is a touch harder but he gets in OK with the 1.5kg claim for talented apprentice Josh Cartwright. Expect him to be in the firing line for a long way.

TAB Fixed Odds: $3.70

LINCOLN MOORE (The Advertiser). Form: 1412x

SIGNOFF

Race 7, No. 3

Top class stayer, who should be primed for this. Big effort coming from the back of the field before being worried out of it by Swacadelic at Moonee Valley last time. Well weighted here and should be too good for these.

TAB Fixed Odds: $1.40

MARKETS: TAB FIXED ODDS

FEATURE RACE MARKETS

Flemington, March 12

$3.50 Bow Creek

$6.50 Our Ivanhowe, Preferment

$8 Suavito

$11 Xtravagant

$13 Almoonqith, Fenway, Rising Romance

$15+ Others

FULL MARKET: TAB FIXED ODDS

GOLDEN SLIPPER